LIBRARY OF TEXAS
RESOURCE DISCOVERY SERVICE:
WHAT'S IN IT FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES?

A Brief History

In 2001 Ms. Peggy Rudd and the staff of the Texas State Library created a visionary proposal for a suite of innovative services brought together under the name "The Library of Texas". In September of 2001 the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board awarded a grant that provided the resources to make that vision a reality. The four main components in that vision are a robust collection of licensed databases, preservation and delivery of electronic state government information, a distance learning system employing Web and videoconferencing technologies, and a one-stop portal to make all of this information and more easily accessible to users across the state of Texas. While the databases have been available since mid-2001, each of the other components has required a thorough planning and implementation process. These efforts are beginning to bear fruit and will continue to do so in the coming months. One specific result of this planning effort is the Resource Discovery Service plan available on-line through the Library of Texas Web-site.

Two Levels of Participation: Users and Catalog Providers

Users

Patrons of all Texas libraries will be able to use the Library of Texas from the library, from home, from work, from school, or from any other location with Internet access and a Web browser. The Library of Texas will lengthen your patron's information reach beyond the public Web and local library to include the collections of other Texas libraries and the proprietary information content licensed by the Texas State Library. Each library will have one password to hand out to their patrons. Patrons will be able to:

Search the holdings of nearby libraries, specialized libraries (medical, history, etc.), or other selected Texas libraries. Travel to these libraries and borrow materials with local or TexShare card. � Request materials through Inter-Library Loan as permitted by their home library. Search TexShare databases through a single, simple interface rather than the dozen or more interfaces offered by the various database vendors. This will reduce training requirements for staff and patrons. Search multiple resources within a broad subject area without needing to know the specific coverage of each. Search multiple resources simultaneously including library collections, commercial databases, and Web indexes. See links from search results to materials at nearby libraries, online resources, and other options for obtaining materials. Download and use many resources in full text with original images and captions.

Catalog Providers

Libraries that choose to participate as catalog providers will make their local catalogs accessible to the LOT Resource Discovery Service software. This will enable their patrons to search their home library simultaneously with the other resources of the Library of Texas, and to identify local materials that match the results of online database searches. Catalog providers will need to use a current automated library system and have broadband access (ISDN or better) to the Internet. Larger libraries or consortia will have an option to include additional locally licensed resources in both searches and links from search results for their patrons.

Costs

Catalog providers may see an increase of Inter-Library Loan requests. Libraries may choose whether or not to fill these requests using local policies. In most cases, catalog providers will need to "uplift" their library automation system to include a Z39.50 server module that is compliant with the Z-Texas Profile. For libraries that apply and are accepted into our pilot program this software will be purchased, installed, and configured for you. Some local staff time may be required to assist with this process. Other grant sources may be available in the future for this one-time cost. Some library automation vendors may increase their annual support fee when customers add a Z39.50 server module. For example, if current Athena customers purchase ongoing support for the Z39.50 server module it will cost them $150/year.

2003 Timeline

April - Select software vendor for the LOT Resource Discovery ServiceMay - Select early adopter libraries for the pilot programJune & July - Implement central software and uplift local catalogsAugust - Complete pilot program and assess options for public release of the Resource Discovery Service